No other way

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

NO OTHER WAY

Prov 28:25

25 A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

NIV

We cannot be sure why this translation used the word greedy when others use the word a man with a proud heart. The original language reads; a proud heart stirs up strife, he the puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat. It might be understood that a person who has a proud heart is one who puts his trust in himself. The person believes in his own abilities to generate wealth and thus would in that sense be greedy. Greed is one form of self-reliance, always wanting what the heart wants and wanting it now, spending ever effort to achieve that want. We know from previous proverbs that pride only breeds quarrels.

Prov 13:10

10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

NIV

This would agree with the greedy or proud hearted person stirring up dissension or causing strife. It would have to make sense that someone who is strictly looking out for their own interests either in the material or spiritual aspects of life would create an atmosphere of dissension or strife. This would seem to them to be a way to promote their own agenda of advancing their position. Yet this proverb shows us a contrast of two people. Because the person who puts his trust in the Lord will be made fat, will prosper, the other pride-hearted person will be made thin. They will be made lean spirituality and may well also be made lean in temporal goods. But since all goods are temporal, all wealth is but a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of eternity, and therefore it is far wiser to put our trust in the Lord. In doing so we will be made fat spirituality and according to the Lord if we seek first his kingdom he will add all the temporal goods we need, those the pagans, or the ones with a prideful heart chase after. Having all the material needs being added unto us is certainly not the reason to put our trust in the Lord. It is merely a result provided by him for placing our complete trust in him. The main point is by trusting in the Lord we will be made fat spirituality, we will not be made lean. We will gain eternal life, for the Lord is life. He has told us that he is the truth the life and the way.

John 14:6-7

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." 

NIV

This is the reason we put our trust in him, there is no other way to live, both in eternity and the here and now.